Paul sat up in bed again today. No wheelchair today, but Sarah said he is looking so much stronger. He even had a few smiles.
He is finally off of all drip medication.
Great TV Day for him....Final Four and Golf.
Monday should be a big news day for travel plans.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
9:57 PM Update
Went outside for the first time in almost a month! Sarah & Kari wheeled him outside into the nice sunny weather. Didn't seem to enjoy it as much as was hoped because his ribs were hurting.
Hopefully off of the heperin IV and will begin oral blood thinner (cumadin) starting tomorrow.
Chest x-ray taken today to clear him for travel...results back tomorrow.
Travel date and plans are still in the works...many phone calls were made today to try to set things up. Stay tuned.
Paul continues to work, gets very tired but he's hanging in there...as is Kathi who is spending her 3rd night in a row with him (in a not comfortable recliner).
Shawn, the boys & I are off to San Diego for a weeks vacation (planned a year ago). We will visit Paul tomorrow evening and take Kathi & Sarah out for dinner--Kari will stay with Paul. Jen will be updating the blog.
Thanks All!
Julie
Hopefully off of the heperin IV and will begin oral blood thinner (cumadin) starting tomorrow.
Chest x-ray taken today to clear him for travel...results back tomorrow.
Travel date and plans are still in the works...many phone calls were made today to try to set things up. Stay tuned.
Paul continues to work, gets very tired but he's hanging in there...as is Kathi who is spending her 3rd night in a row with him (in a not comfortable recliner).
Shawn, the boys & I are off to San Diego for a weeks vacation (planned a year ago). We will visit Paul tomorrow evening and take Kathi & Sarah out for dinner--Kari will stay with Paul. Jen will be updating the blog.
Thanks All!
Julie
Thursday, March 29, 2007
8:55 PM Update
Stitches came out of his left foot. Has a soft cast on until April 23rd when pins will come out of the foot and then he will be able to put weight on it.
He has a new splint on his right hand for his "boxer break."
Catheter came out--can now "pee freely."
Sat in a wheel chair for a half hour. He felt a little dizzy at first but toughed it out. Hoping to wheel him outside tomorrow. Has cabin fever BAD.
Kathi, Sarah & Kari (again) are working hard to keep his spirits up. Everyone please say your prayers and send positive thoughts for Paul, Kathi, Kari & Sarah~~they are going on a month now and can use all the positive energy they can get.
Thank you to Jim & Donna for the cookie basket--Joanne for the goodie basket & Marty Mel for the encouragement!
He has a new splint on his right hand for his "boxer break."
Catheter came out--can now "pee freely."
Sat in a wheel chair for a half hour. He felt a little dizzy at first but toughed it out. Hoping to wheel him outside tomorrow. Has cabin fever BAD.
Kathi, Sarah & Kari (again) are working hard to keep his spirits up. Everyone please say your prayers and send positive thoughts for Paul, Kathi, Kari & Sarah~~they are going on a month now and can use all the positive energy they can get.
Thank you to Jim & Donna for the cookie basket--Joanne for the goodie basket & Marty Mel for the encouragement!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Wednesday, 3/28, 8:00 PM
Good evening all. Shawn here, posting for Julie who is out tonight. Here's the latest from Sarah:
- Paul's vitals are good
- Kidney function continues to improve
- As part of his physical therapy, he was moved into a wheel chair for a time today. Even managed to stand on his right leg briefly.
- They have decided that Paul will receive no more morphine to control pain because it makes him feel too "loopy." They are now managing pain just with oral medication (Sarah didn't know which one.)
- Paul made Kathi stay with him last night so she could experience the "ambiance" of a hospital room after hours. As one would guess, Paul is getting pretty fed up with being waken so frequently during the night for vitals, blood draws, etc. (I suggested he request a higher dosage of Ambien at night. From personal experience, I can attest to the fact that sleep deprivation is one of the hardest parts of an extended hospital stay. I eventually got a high enough dose that I slept through my blood draws during the night.)
Kari returned to San Diego today. Sarah says they are still hopeful that Paul will be moved to Palm Springs next Monday.
Thanks to everyone for the continued thoughts, prayers and good wishes.
(written by Shawn)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
8:29 PM Update
Good news continues:
He has been off pain meds but after physical therapy did ask for some. Unfortunately the only pain med the nurse could give him was morphine, which is not his favorite since he feels it makes him a little "loopy." Jen also said he's still not getting enough restful sleep at night.
Do not have a definite date as to when he's getting "OUT." Jen said that Friday or early next week were both mentioned. He continues to improve and many of the internal problems are getting much better but he still has a lot of healing yet to do.
- Kidney numbers are close to normal and Docs are "tickled" with his progress.
- White blood count numbers are also heading in the right direction.
- Heart rate continues to be irregular but heart is strong. Continuing with oral meds.
He has been off pain meds but after physical therapy did ask for some. Unfortunately the only pain med the nurse could give him was morphine, which is not his favorite since he feels it makes him a little "loopy." Jen also said he's still not getting enough restful sleep at night.
Do not have a definite date as to when he's getting "OUT." Jen said that Friday or early next week were both mentioned. He continues to improve and many of the internal problems are getting much better but he still has a lot of healing yet to do.
Monday, March 26, 2007
6:26 PM Update
Kidney numbers are continuing to improve. No dialysis today.
Results from CT scan are that the pocket of fluid has not gotten bigger. Docs are not concerned and believe it will dissipate on it's own. White cell count has come down a bit and believe it will continue to do so as the body adjusts to the spleen being removed.
His heart is still in irregular rhythm and will continue to treat with meds. He had a heart echo gram and an EKG yesterday that both report his heart is doing well in spite of the irregular heart beat.
Starting him on blood thinner to prevent blood clots which can be caused from the irregular heartbeat. He had some troubles last time he was on the blood thinners due to a bruised colon but Docs believe this has healed and he should have no problems this go-round.
He was unable to do PT today while they were waiting on the heart echo gram results. Since they came back good he'll be able to resume PT tomorrow. He can't sit up for very long but he wants to. He is following all orders to get outta there.
Had a french dip from Quiznos for dinner and is currently having a cold stone banana split: one scoop of vanilla, chocolate & strawberry with whip cream and a cherry on top. As you might have guessed his appetite continues to improve.
Results from CT scan are that the pocket of fluid has not gotten bigger. Docs are not concerned and believe it will dissipate on it's own. White cell count has come down a bit and believe it will continue to do so as the body adjusts to the spleen being removed.
His heart is still in irregular rhythm and will continue to treat with meds. He had a heart echo gram and an EKG yesterday that both report his heart is doing well in spite of the irregular heart beat.
Starting him on blood thinner to prevent blood clots which can be caused from the irregular heartbeat. He had some troubles last time he was on the blood thinners due to a bruised colon but Docs believe this has healed and he should have no problems this go-round.
He was unable to do PT today while they were waiting on the heart echo gram results. Since they came back good he'll be able to resume PT tomorrow. He can't sit up for very long but he wants to. He is following all orders to get outta there.
Had a french dip from Quiznos for dinner and is currently having a cold stone banana split: one scoop of vanilla, chocolate & strawberry with whip cream and a cherry on top. As you might have guessed his appetite continues to improve.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
5:03 PM Update
Paul's heart beat is irregular again. They moved him at 2:30 in the morning to the cardiac floor and gave him an EKG. Paul called Kathi and wanted her there with him. The cardiologist believes this is a minor condition and they will treat with meds and continue to monitor closely. They are opting not to do the shock paddles at this time.
His kidneys continue to improve and overall are real happy with the progress he's making. He has not had dialysis in quite a few days.
Paul is getting another cat scan on his stomach due to a continued high white blood count. This could be from his spleen being removed and his body trying to adjust or from a pocket of fluid that was discovered on the first CT scan. They were hoping the pocket would dissipate on its own. The scan will tell them if it's stayed the same or has gotten larger, they may try to drain it if it's gotten bigger. They will decide upon a course of action once they receive more info.
His appetite continues to improve. Jen said he usually eats a pretty good breakfast, not much lunch and a pretty good dinner.
We'll update again tomorrow afternoon. Thanks everyone.
His kidneys continue to improve and overall are real happy with the progress he's making. He has not had dialysis in quite a few days.
Paul is getting another cat scan on his stomach due to a continued high white blood count. This could be from his spleen being removed and his body trying to adjust or from a pocket of fluid that was discovered on the first CT scan. They were hoping the pocket would dissipate on its own. The scan will tell them if it's stayed the same or has gotten larger, they may try to drain it if it's gotten bigger. They will decide upon a course of action once they receive more info.
His appetite continues to improve. Jen said he usually eats a pretty good breakfast, not much lunch and a pretty good dinner.
We'll update again tomorrow afternoon. Thanks everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)